Question

Which one of the following is a biodegradable polymer?
(A) Cellulose
(B) $ Nylon - 6 $
(C) Polyvinyl chloride
(D) polythene

Answer 1

Hint: A polymer is a long chain consisting of repeating units attached to each other. A variety of polymers can be synthesized using condensation and polymerization reactions but such synthetic polymers are highly stable and non-biodegradable in nature.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
A biodegradable substance is defined as a material that can be easily decomposed into simpler substances by the microorganisms present on the surface of earth.
Naturally occurring polymers easily degrade with time but synthetic polymers resist the action of secretions made by microorganisms.
 $ Nylon - 6 $ is a thermally stable plastic polymer that is resistant to damages, temperature and chemicals. Its high thermal stability and rigidity makes it a non-biodegradable substance.
Polyvinyl chloride and polythene are also synthetic thermoplastics that are difficult to degrade or decompose chemically or biologically.
Cellulose is a natural polymer and an abundant polysaccharide that can be easily decomposed and broken down into simpler substances like glucose. It does not consist of microplastics that cannot be acted upon by microorganisms. Cellulose can also be derived from a wide variety of naturally occurring raw materials.
 $ \Rightarrow $ Hence, Cellulose is the only biodegradable polymer out of all the given options.
Therefore option (a) is correct.

Note:
The high stability of synthetic polymers makes them resistant towards the attack by various microorganisms present in soil and can therefore persist in the environment for long periods of time. Such synthetic polymers accumulate over time and become hazardous in nature.